Ahmad ibn Hanbal said, “He narrated objectionable reports and brought out those calamitous traditions, then went on to circulate them.” (1)

Abu Hatim said, “I heard from him in the year 213 AH.” (2)

Ibn Saʿd said, “He died in Dhu l-Qaʿdah of the year 213.” (3) Khalifah (4), al-Bukhari (5), and a group of others concurred with him regarding the year. It has also been said that he died in that year’s Shawwal. Al-Fasawi, however, placed his death in 214 AH. (6)

ʿAbd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad and Yahya ibn Abi Mansur informed us, saying:
“ʿUmar ibn Muhammad informed us; Hibat Allah ibn al-Husayn informed us; Muhammad ibn Muhammad informed us; Abu Bakr al-Shafiʿi narrated to us; Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Wasiti narrated to us; ʿUbayd Allah ibn Musa narrated to us; Malik ibn Mighwal, from ʿAwn ibn Abi Juḥayfah, from his father, reported that Ali — may Allah be pleased with him — said:
‘The best of us after our Prophet are Abu Bakr and ʿUmar — may Allah be pleased with them both.’”

The version transmitted by ʿUbayd Allah thus demonstrates that he gave precedence to the two Shaykhs, even though he used to censure those who opposed Ali.

Ibn Mandah said, “Ahmad ibn Hanbal would direct people to ʿUbayd Allah, yet he was known for his Rafidi leanings; he would not allow anyone named Muʿawiyah to enter his house. So it was said:”} }
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